The Olympics: Diplomacy & Politics

Overview

As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, join Active Minds as we explore the rich history of the Olympic Games and how they have been involved in a variety of international political issues over the years. Born of diplomatic and political design, the Olympics have always played an important role in international politics. The games provide a stage for both international cooperation and peaceful competition, as well as international conflict and confrontation. 

Key Lecture Points

  • The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad will be held in Paris, July 26 to August 11, 2024.  This is the third time Paris will host the summer Olympics, tied with London for the most times in the modern era.  10,500 athletes from over 200 countries will participate in 329 events in 32 sports at 35 different venues (including Tahiti).
  • Historically, countries whose relations have been tense, or even conflict-ridden, have come to the Olympic Games and peacefully competed with one another.  That the United States and the Soviet Union both attended the Olympics throughout the duration of the Cold War (with notable exceptions), and competed peacefully with one another, is testament to this point.
  • On the other hand, the Olympic Games have also at times provided a forum for international conflict, with the prestige of the Games often utilized to draw attention to contentious global or national issues and/or to isolate countries seen to be “objectionable” for some reason.  The US boycott, along with 64 other nations, of the 1980 Games in Moscow, the banning of the South African delegation from the 1964 Games in Tokyo, and the killing of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Games in Munich are examples of this phenomenon. It is possible that the Ukraine war, and conflict in the Middle East will be spotlighted in some ways in 2024.
  • Olympic Games have become huge events, requiring extensive infrastructure and lavish ceremonies.   The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics were the most expensive in history—more than twice the cost of the 2012 London Games.  As the costs skyrocket, economic benefits are far from clear.  This is causing fewer nations to apply to host the Games. The economics, along with concerns about climate change and sustainability, are increasingly important factors in staging the games.

Discussion Questions

  • To what extent are the Olympics limited in their ability to foster global peace and understanding?  Why?
  • In what ways were the ancient Greek Olympics similar and different from their modern successor?
  • What does the future of the Olympics look like? Will the games continue to expand in cost and become cost prohibitive?
  • Did you support President Carter’s decision to boycott the 1980 Moscow Games?
  • Did you support the decision to reject the Olympics in Denver?  Do you think Denver should bid again?
  • Who are some of your favorite Olympic athletes?

More to Explore

Books for Further Reading

  • Schaap, Jeremy. Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics. (paperback) Mariner Books, 2008. 272 pages. Based on interviews with the Owen’s family and extensive archival research, Schaaps tells the remarkable story of Owens at the 1936 Berlin Games and his refutation of Hitler.
  • Wilson, Neil. The Treasures of the Olympic Games: An Official Olympic Museum Publication. Carlton Publishing Group, 2008. Fully authorized and produced in partnership with the official Olympic Museum, this unique treasure trove includes more than 200 photographs and 25 removable facsimiles of rare Olympic memorabilia.
  • Klein, Aaron J. Striking Back: The 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre and Israel’s Deadly Response.  Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2007. 288 pages. The author tells the story of the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre and the Israeli counterterrorism operation it spawned.
  • Zimbalist, Andrew.  Circus Maximus: The Economic Gamble Behind Hosting the Olympics and the World Cup.  Brookings Institution Press, 2016.  224 pages. An economic analysis weighing the costs and benefits of hosting high profile sports events like the Olympics and the World Cup to determine if host cities really experience an economic windfall.